Capital One Bowl By the Numbers

Badgermaniac

12/20/2006

Badgermaniac breaks down the 2007 Capital One Bowl matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Today's focus is the passing offense of Wisconsin against the passing defense of Arkansas.

The Arkansas defense averaged 16 completions on 31 attempts (52%) for 189 yards per game. Their TD/INT ratio was 20-12. They averaged 6.2 yards per attempt allowed and sacked the quarterback on 7% of their attempts.

Arkansas opponents typically had 16 completions on 28 attempts (59%) for 214 yards per game. Their TD/INT ratio was 191/131. They averaged 7.7 yards per attempt and allowed sacks on 6% of the passing attempts.

When taken as a whole, here is what we know. Arkansas had a very effective passing defense. They held teams 7% under their typical completion percentage and about 25 yards under their typical yardage totals (impressive for a team that typically was playing with a lead). They suppressed yards per attempt by about a yard and a half per throw. Their TD-INT ratio was actually slightly worse than expected, but not by any significant degree. Their pass rush was solid, just a tad above average (1%).

Of note is that they didn't have a pick until playing LA-Monroe (game 7), when they notched 5.

Analysis:

Wisconsin's passing offense and Arkansas' passing defense is very equally matched. Both made solid gains against the norm and roughly to an equal degree. Wisconsin's passing offense should be able to move the ball, but not to the degree that they have become accustomed to. Arkansas' defense seems to excel in pure coverage, but aren't especially lethal with regards to playmaking. Given Stocco's impressive turnover rate, interceptions should not be a factor. Of special note here is the pass protection for John Stocco, as Wisconsin's OL was below average here and Arkansas could be in position to take advantage of this.